Song Hye-kyo’s star still burns brightly in China
Tense political relations have hurt Korean celebrities’ popularity in China but Song has remained a big hit both there, and her wedding to Song Joong-ki was broadcast live on Baidu and Weibo
Actress Song Hye-kyo is still enjoying her heyday in China as a beloved hallyu star, with almost no negative or malicious comments in articles about her, according to media outlet Asia Today’s Wednesday report.
In fact, the actress was also ranked as the No. 4 hallyu star that fans across the world most want to see, according to the Korean Foundation for International Culture Exchange, or KOFICE. Singer-rapper Psy, and actors Lee Min-ho and her own husband, Song Joong-ki, were ranked first, second and third respectively.
Even amid the row over Korea’s decision to deploy the US THAAD missile interceptor, for which China banned Korean celebrities from appearing on television, Song’s private wedding to Song Joong-ki was broadcast live on social media platforms in China, with 200 million views on Baidu and Weibo.
One of the most obvious reasons for Song’s success is that she has been appearing in a myriad of Chinese works, including the film The Grandmaster in 2013.
Her close relationships with top Chinese celebrities seems to be another factor in her popularity. For instance, actress Zhang Ziyi visited Korea in October 2017 to attend Song’s wedding.
The actress married actor Song Joong-ki a year after they starred in the hit Descendants of the Sun.
Song will also feature in the upcoming TV series Boyfriend, with Park Bo-gum playing her partner.
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This article was originally written by Dong Sun-hwa for The Korea Times.